A call for the church—the whole church—to enter into a serious conversation about the spiritual nurture of our children

Conversations about children and faith draw us close to the heart of God—among the people of God, these talks are justifiably nuanced and passionate. The authors of Along the Way lead everyone in the church—parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, ministers, and leaders—in a careful yet understandable dialogue about nurturing children spiritually. Along the way, we discover that the individuality of each child and the distinctiveness of their context call us to see each child's walk with God as a unique journey of discovery. We also learn that sharing these paths with children changes and blesses us at least as much as it does them.

Ron Bruner, DMin, serves as executive director of Westview Boys' Home. Decades of experience, scholarship, ministerial leadership, and life with his own children and grandchildren inform his understanding of children and faith.

Dana Kennamer Pemberton, PhD, directs the nationally recognized teacher education program at Abilene Christian University. While a passionate researcher on children's spiritual development, she is "Teacher Dana" to the children (and young adults) at her home church.

Holly Catterton Allen [PhD—Talbot School of Teology]—Holly is a professor at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she holds a dual professorship in the family life program of the College of Arts and Sciences and in the College of Bible and Ministry. She previously served as a professor of Biblical studies and the director of the Child and Family Studies program at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She is co-author of Intergenerational Christian Formation: Bringing the Whole Church Together in Ministry, Community and Worship (2012) with Christine Ross. 

Steven Bonner [DMin—Fuller Theological Seminary]—Steven is an associate professor teaching children’s ministry and is the director of the Youth and Family Ministry program at Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock, Texas. He also preaches at the Tahoka Church of Christ. 

Ron Bruner [DMin—Abilene Christian University]—Ron has served as the executive director of Westview Boys’ Home in Hollis, Oklahoma, since 1999. He is president of the Christian Child and Family Services Association. He has practical and scholarly interests in at-risk youth, the theology of children, and intergenerational ministry. Ron worships with the Childress Church of Christ in Childress, Texas. 

Jeff W. Childers [DPhil—Oxford University]—Jef Childers is a professor in the Graduate School of Teology at Abilene Christian University. His research interests include: Oriental Christianity (especially the Syriac tradition), Church History, Biblical Text, Christian Spiritual Formation, and New Testament Textual Criticism. Jeff is active at the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene. 

Samjung Kang-Hamilton [EdD—Columbia University]—Samjung is an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Teology at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. She teaches courses in children’s education and Christian education, and does research on the partnership between churches and families in the spiritual formation of children, youth, and adults. Samjung is active at the University Church of Christ in Abilene. 

Ryan Maloney [MACM—Abilene Christian University]—Ryan serves as Children and Family Minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, and President-Elect of the Christian Education Association. Ryan is an adjunct instructor of children and family ministry at Abilene Christian University. 

Suzetta Nutt—Suzetta serves as the Children’s Minister at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. She is also a Children’s Ministry consultant and speaker. 

Dana Kennamer Pemberton [PhD—University of Texas]—Dana is a professor and the department chair, Teacher Education, in the College of Education and Human Services, Abilene Christian University. She is a coauthor of Let All the Children Come to Me: A Practical Guide to Including Children with Disabilities in Your Church Ministries, with MaLesa Breeding and Jerry Whitworth. (2006); and the author of I Will Change Your Name: Messages from the Father to a Heart Broken by Divorce (2009). She teaches children at the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. 

Nathan Pickard [DMin—Abilene Christian University]—Nathan is the preaching minister at the Newmarket Church of Christ in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.  

Shannon Rains [MS—Abilene Christian University]—Shannon has been the children and family minister at the Kingwood Church of Christ in Kingwood, Texas since 2005. Shannon is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Abilene Christian University.

Section One: Catching up with the Conversation 

1 | An Invitation to a Conversation | Ron Bruner and Dana Kennamer Pemberton 

2 | The Story of Why We Believe What We Believe About Children and Faith | Ron Bruner 

3 | Understanding Childhood Spirituality | Steven Bonner 

Section Two: Children at Home 

4 | Living Deuteronomy 6: Parenting as a Spiritual Discipline | Ron Bruner 

5 | Reading and Living the Bible with Children | Samjung Kang-Hamilton 

6 | Praying Alongside our Children | Samjung Kang-Hamilton 

Section Three: Children and the Faith Community 

7 | Reshaping the Church into an Intergenerational Body | Holly Catterton Allen 

8 | Communion: A Table without Boundaries | Nathan Pickard 

9 | Baptism and Children: Finding Good Instincts | Jeff W. Childers 

10 | Baptism and Children: Finding Sound Practices | Jeff W. Childers 

Section Four: Our Children's Ministries

11 | Ministry with Children: Partnerships with Purpose | Ryan Maloney 

12 | Respect the Rext and Respect the Children: Reconsidering Our Approaches to Bible School | Dana Kennamer Pemberton 

13 | Practicing Spiritual Disciplines with Children | Suzetta Nutt 

14 | Children Serving and Proclaiming Christ: Joining the Mission of the Church | Shannon Rains 

15 | Holy Hospitality: Following the Call of Jesus to Welcoming ALL Children | Dana Kennamer Pemberton 

Contributor Biographies

For Further Reading

Endnotes 

ISBN: 9780891124603

Pages: 256

Dimensions (inches): 6 x 9

Weight (pounds): 0.8